WDBJ 7 morning news AM cutins for 09/30/99

[7-Schoolwatch]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]

[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=School Information]

Last night's storms have forced two school systems to cancel classes today.
(XXXXXXXXX)
[TAKE Schoolwatch Full Screen]
Schools will be closed today in Amherst County and a Code 2 employee schedule is in effect.
Nelson County schools are closed as well.
(-------------)

[7-Richards]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=kwe]
[TAPE#=99-35]
[GRAPHIC=Campaign 99]

Former Texas Governor Ann Richards was in the Star City last night raising campaign money for the Democratic party.

Over 200 people paid 50 dollars each - not only to raise funds for the party - but to hear Ann Richards speak on rallying support for Democrats in Virginia.
Kate Weidaw has the story.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Ann Richards/Former Texas Governor; :00]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; HOT CHANGE!!!!]
[SUPER=@Edwards; 1:03]
[SUPER=@Kate1; 1:17]
[RUNS=1:27]
[OUT Q=Weidaw, News-7]
(([Nat Sound Ann Richards at the podium] [RUNS:5] Ann Richards got Democratic supporters revved up about donating money to the campaign. This year 100 seats in the house and all senate seats are up, and Richards is determined to get them filled with democrats.
[SOT 2:40:22]
[INQ=]
((ANN RICHARDS: VIRGINIA IS VERY CLOSE TO HAVING BOTH THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE AND IF I CAN HELP RAISE A LITTLE MONEY TO RAISE IN THE ELECTIONS THEN THAT IS EXACTLY WHERE I'LL BE.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS:13] The former Texas Governor was the key note speaker at the fundraiser and says a democrat is needed to do something about Virginia's highway problems.
[SOT 2:38:37]
[INQ=It's important]
((ANN RICHARDS: IT'S IMPORTANT IF YOU CARE ABOUT DOING SOMETHING ABOUT THE TRANSPORTATION PROBLEMS YOU HAVE ON THE FREEWAYS IN VIRGINIA WHAT'S HIS NAME GOVERNOR GRIDLOCK TO SOLVE THAT YOU'RE GOING TO NEED A DEMOCRAT ELECTED TO OFFICE.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUN10] Money raised will help Democrats like Senator John Edward's who's running for re-election this year.
[SOT 2:45:40]
[INQ=]
((SENATOR JOHN EDWARDS: IT'S GOING TO HELP THE PARTY AS A WHOLE. NOT JUST MY CAMPAIGN BUT CANDIDATES THROUGH OUT THE WESTERN PART OF THE COMMONWEALTH.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS6] And with Republicans generally raising more money then Democrats, fundraisers like these are always welcome. [STANDUP]
[INQ=]
((KATE WEIDAW/REPORTING: RICHARDS SAYS SHE IS NOT PLANNING ON DOING A NATION WIDE CAMPAIGN TO RAISE FUNDS FOR THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY BUT JUST GOING WHERE FUNDS ARE NEEDED. KATE WEIDAW NEWS 7.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS=]))

[7-E-Tech-Conference]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=eea/jja]
[TAPE#=99-32]
[GRAPHIC=The Internet]

Imagine getting your driver's license, or paying your taxes without leaving home- You may be able to do just that in the future.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lexington]

The Commonwealth's first Information Technology Symposium is underway at VMI this week.
Local and state agency leaders are trying to work together as they put information on the web.
The goal is a new state web site each citizen can customize to meet his or her specific needs.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 15:18:40ish ]
[IN Q=If you're]
((DONALD UPSON/SECRETARY OF TECHNOLOGY; IF YOU'RE A LAWYER, YOU MIGHT WANT TO SET UP LEGAL INFORMATION, IF YOU'RE A STUDENT YOU MIGHT WANT INFORMATION ABOUT ANY HOST OF THINGS INSIDE VIRGINIA GOVERNMENT ACROSS THE BOARD. IT SHOULD BE INTERACTIVE AND EMPOWER THE INDIVIDUAL.))
[SUPER=01-Donald Upson/Virginia Secretary of Technology]
[RUNS=11]
[OUT Q=empower the individual]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The two-day symposium will allow the various state agencies to coordinate their efforts on the web.
(------------)

[7Weather]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=tar]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]

Taking a look at today's forecast... Plan for a windy day, with cooler temperatures today. Highs in the upper 60s, lows in the 40s.

[SUPER=X5000; set dissolve]
[SUPER=314-Wind Advisory/Winds NW 25-35/65-70/Clear & Cool/Winds NW 5-10/40-45;]
[SUPER=#555; reset]

[45-Schoolwatch]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=School Information]

Flooding from last night's storms has forced two school systems to cancel classes.
(XXXXXXXXX)
[TAKE Schoolwatch Full Screen]
Schools will be closed today in Amherst County and a Code 2 employee schedule is in effect.
Nelson County schools is also closed.
(-------------)

[45-E-Hargon]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=99-28 1:41:07]
[GRAPHIC=Legal Scales]

He tried to lure a 13 year old boy to Bedford County over the internet.
Now Edward Earl Hargon will spend a year locked up.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Hargon was sentenced yesteday for transmitting pornography over the Internet and attempted indecent liberties with a minor.
[SUPER=03-Bedford Co.]

The juvenile boy Hargon thought he was communicating with was actually an undercover Bedford County deputy.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 17:51:19]
[IN Q=We sought him]
((DIRK PADGETT/BEDFORD CO. PROSECUTOR: WE SOUGHT HIM OUT AND FOUND HIM BEFORE HE GOT TO A CHILD. THAT'S NOT TO SAY THAT HE HASN'T GOTTEN TO CHILDREN IN THE PAST.. THEY HAVEN'T COME FORWARD TO TESTIFY TO THAT FACT. BUT SOMEONE WHO'S BEEN IN THE HUNT LIKE MR. HARGON, WE SUSPECT THAT HE'S HAD VICTIMS IN THE PAST THAT WE DON'T KNOW ABOUT. AND NOW WE'VE CAUGHT HIM, NOW WE'RE GOING TO PUT A COLLAR ON HIM AND NOW WE'RE GOING TO WATCH HIM.))
[SUPER=01-Dirk Padgett/Bedford Co. Prosecutor]
[RUNS=21]
[OUT Q=going to watch him.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Hargon received a ten- year prison term, with nine years suspended.
(------------)

[45-E-Sheriff-Congress]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=99-29 1:18:31]
[GRAPHIC=Internet Porn]

Some of the same Bedford County deputies who busted Hargon head to capitol hill today, to talk to Congressional members about the dangers of child porn on the Internet.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The "Blue Ridge Thunder" task force will brief a congressional caucus on its use of the Internet to identify and arrest would-be pedophiles.
Sheriff Mike Brown has taken heat from critics who say his department shouldn't be luring criminals into Bedford County.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 14:37:00]
[IN Q=They don't realize]
((MIKE BROWN/BEDFORD CO. SHERIFF: THEY DON'T REALIZE THAT THESE PEOPLE ARE ALREADY HERE. WHAT WE'RE DOING IS THAT WHEN THEY COME INTO BEDFORD COUNTY, WE'RE GOING TO ARREST THEM, WE'RE GOING TO GET THEM OFF THE STREET AND HOPEFULLY THAT'S GOING TO BE A DETERRENT TO OTHER PEDOPHILES WHO WOULD POSSIBLY TARGET BEDFORD COUNTY AND THE YOUTH IN BEDFORD COUNTY.))

[SUPER=01-Mike Brown/Bedford Co. Sheriff]
[RUNS=17]
[OUT Q=youth in Bedford County.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Brown says their efforts have been successful.. word has spread among child pornographers on the Internet to avoid the central Virginia area.
(------------)

[45-E-GOP-Drugs]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=99-27 1:27:56]
[GRAPHIC=Campaign 99]

When Virginians head to the polls in November, State Republicans hope Governor Gilmore's plan to overhaul Virginia drug laws will find favor with voters.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.]

Yesterday in Roanoke County, Republican office holders and a candidate for the General Assembly lined up in support of Gilmore's plan.
The Substance Abuse Reduction Effort, would target drug kingpins, add 210 state troopers, and increase substance abuse treatment programs.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 10:05:54 burkart]
[IN Q=When police take their statements]
((SKIP BURKART/ROANOKE CO. COMMONWEALTH'S ATTORNEY: WHEN POLICE TAKE THEIR STATEMENTS A LARGE PERCENTAGE POINT BACK TO DRUGS. I THINK IF WE COULD START BATTLING THAT PROBLEM, I THINK WE'VE MADE A LOT OF SUCCESS IN THE VIOLENT CRIME AREA. LET'S GO AFTER DRUGS NOW AND I THINK IT'S A GOOD IDEA.))
[SUPER=01-Skip Burkart/Roanoke Co. Comm. Attorney]
[RUNS=:15]
[OUT Q=I think it's a good idea]
(----------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Joining Roanoke County Commonwealth's Attorney Skip Burkart were Fincastle Senator Bo Trumbo, Salem Delegate Morgan Griffith, and House of Delegates Candidate Barbara Chrisley.

[45Weather]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=tar]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]

Now let's check today's weather outlook--
A Wind advisory is in effect...with northwesterly winds anywhere from 25 to 35 miles an hour and higher gusts.
Skies will become mostly sunny.....and stay clear through tonight.
Less breezy overnight with lows falling into the lower 40s.
The five day forecast is sunny through the weekend...with scattered showers possible again by next week.

[SUPER=X5000; set dissolve]
[SUPER=314-Wind Advisory/Winds NW 25-35/65-70/Clear & Cool/Winds NW 5-10/40-45;]
[SUPER=#555; reset]

[8-Schoolwatch]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=School Information]

Flooding from last night's storms have forced two school systems to cancel classes.
(XXXXXXXXX)
[TAKE Schoolwatch Full Screen]
Children in Amherst and Nelson Counties will have the day off.
In Amherst County a Code 2 employee schedule is in effect.
(-------------)

[8-Tornados]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Tornado]

Virginia experienced some severe weather across the southern, central, and western part of the state.
The line of storms that spread across those parts of the commonwealth may have spawned a tornado in Patrick County.
A twister was reported in the Kippler Valley area between Ararat and Stuart.
It destroyed one mobile home and damaged several barns.

[8-E-Campbell-Roads]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=99-35 1:01:56]
[GRAPHIC=Severe Weather]

Heavy rain from the storms also caused problems in the area overnight.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Campbell Co.]

Several inches of rain caused flooding in some places.
In the southern end of Campbell County, several roads were closed temporarily to traffic.
Along Route 696, Troublesome Creek was living up to its name.. emergency officials say it took just a few minutes for the creek to overflow and cover a nearby field and bridge.
Several other spots along Lawyers Road and Waterlick Road also had problems with high water.
Amherst County officials say more than a dozen roads were closed because of high water.
Residents in the Tanglewood Mobile Home Park in Madison Heights were temporarily isolated by floodwaters.
In most places, the water has gone down, but officials remind everyone not to drive through standing or moving water.
(------------)

[8-E-Baiul]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#=99-31 1:33:07]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Many know Oksana Baiul for her championship skating, but her actions off the ice involving alcohol have garned almost as much attention.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond]

The Olympic gold medalist is once again getting serious about skating -- and she's calling Richmond home.
[SUPER=03-Lillehammer/February 1994;]

The 16-year old Baiul stole the show from Tonya Harding and Nancy Kerrigan at the 1994 Winter Olympics.
Now 21, she describes her skating this way.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 13:48:44 ]
[IN Q=More mature]
((OKSANA BAIUL: MORE MATURE, MORE OLDER. MORE SOPHISTICATED PROBABLY. YOU KNOW, IT'S JUST-- WITH MORE FEELINGS.))
[SUPER=07-Oksana Baiul;]
[RUNS=:07]
[OUT Q=more feelings.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Baiul came to Richmond to train with the coach she says made her great in the early '90s-- Valentyn (val-en-TEEN) Nikolayev (nikko-LY-ev).
Richmond skating fans are ecstatic.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 13:53:01 ]
[IN Q=I'm very]
((OKSANA BAIUL: I'M VERY PROUD IF I COULD MAKE THEM BE HAPPY. AND LITTLE GIRLS, THEY JUST HAVE TO HAVE FUN WHEN THEY COME HERE. THEY JUST BASICALLY HAVE TO BE HAPPY. THAT IS MY RULE NUMBER ONE. WITH EVERYTHING THAT YOU DO. YOU HAVE TO FEEL SATISFIED, COMFORTABLE, AND HAPPY.))
[RUNS=:21]
[OUT Q=and happy.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Baiul will skate professionally this winter, including a new pro-level competition at the Goodwill Games.
(------------)

[8Weather]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=tar]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]

Now let's take one last look this morning at the Thursday forecast...
Expect a very breezy day, with a wind advisory in effect.
Expect some sunshine with highs in the upper 60s.
Skies staying clear tonight, but not as windy.
Lows of 40 to 45.
As for the five day outlook....sunny skies are expected through the weekend with warmer high temperatures in the 70s.

[SUPER=X5000; set dissolve]
[SUPER=314-Wind Advisory/Winds NW 25-35/65-70/Clear & Cool/Winds NW 5-10/40-45;]
[SUPER=#555; reset]